The town's story begins around 16 B.C. when the Romans called it Augusta Treverorum and it is proud of its two thousand year old heritage. Roman emperors, bishops, electors and prominent citizens all left their mark on the town, as can be seen in Trier's magnificent art treasures and unique architectural monuments. The best known is the Porta Nigra, the massive Roman town gate.

The happy coexistence of the old and the new - the illustrious past and a modern, youthful lifestyle - is precisely what gives Trier its special charm. You come across most of the places of interest, such as the centrepieces of all nine of its UNESCO world heritage sites, as you stroll around the town centre and sightseeing is easily combined with shopping or taking a break for a glass of Moselle wine in the medieval market square. Trier's vineyards actually start just 500 metres from the amphitheatre.

Trier's largest and best known museum is the Rhenish State Museum. It covers the first four centuries A.D. Trier's municipal history is brought vividly to life in the Simeonstift Municipal Museum. Karl Marx House, the birthplace of Karl Marx, the founder of modern socialism, is now a museum housing a permanent exhibition.